Help protect one of Florida's most vital resources - water - with a career at the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District).
The District is a government agency whose mission is to protect water resources, minimize flood risks, and ensure the public's water needs are met. We serve a population of nearly 6 million people in west-central Florida as directed by state law.
Join our Government and Community Affairs Office
Here is your opportunity to serve as the District's local liaison for local elected officials, county and municipal utilities, appointed officials, and business and community leaders. This position will be based out of the District's Sarasota office. Geographical coverage includes Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. The mission of this position is to oversee coordinating and implementing the District's intergovernmental strategies for the execution of operational and strategic priorities and to address local water resource issues. To succeed in this position, the successful candidate must possess the following: self motivation and discipline, strong sense of ethics, proven relationship building, conflict management, strong familiarity with local government and community affairs, and consensus building.
The District supports employees who prefer a hybrid work schedule so that they can enjoy their time outside of the District through work-life balance. The successful candidate must be a Florida resident and willing to reside or relocate to the Southern Planning Region of the District: Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties.
District employees are offered an excellent total rewards package that includes :
• Florida Retirement System (FRS) District Total Contribution 14.03%
• 9 paid holidays (+ 1 floating holiday)
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Paid Parental Leave, including Maternity, Bonding and Family Supportive Work Program
• Medical and dental insurance (91- 97% District paid)
• Vision insurance
• Deferred Compensation Program
• Basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability (District Paid)
• Prescription drug coverage & mail order program
• Health savings & flexible spending accounts
• Flexible schedule for work-life balance
• Legal and Identity Theft protection
• Wellness program
• Public service loan forgiveness qualified employer
• Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year)
• State adoption benefit qualified employer
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Transfer in years of service for other public sector work - towards the FRS program and sick time
Starting Compensation :
Government Affairs Professional 3 $61,254.00 - $84,422.50
Government Affairs Professional 4 $66,180.00 - $91,203.50
The starting salary ranges are included for the Government Affairs Professional profile which reflects the minimum to approximately 50% of the respective pay grades . The starting salary will be based on the education and experience of the successful candidate. The District conducts annual performance evaluations that may award applicable pay increases based on positive employee performance.
Essential Functions
• Develops and maintains relationships with local, state, and federal government elected officials and staff, key state agency personnel, chambers of commerce, and community-based organizations.
• Monitors and participates in local commission and council meetings, local and regional community boards, and provides government affairs support to external constituents.
• Provides internal and external constituent service.
• Provides support to internal bureaus and represents the District throughout a defined geographical region.
• Develops, coordinates, and/or administers responses to inquiries regarding the organization.
• Provides counsel and policy-related assistance to department directors and executive staff.
• Participates in District emergency management activities and other departmental activities and performs other duties as needed.
• Provides ability to work with diverse stakeholders, build mutually-beneficial relationships, resolve conflicts and work with little supervision.
• Participates in District emergency management activities and other departmental activities and performs other duties as needed.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in a standard office environment with required travel to District service offices and other organizations' work locations. Early morning, holiday, evening, or weekend hours may be required. Will be required to work extended hours and/or on an irregular work schedule, as many local government meetings are held during evening hours. Approximately 60 to 80 percent of the time may be spent outside the office attending meetings, participating in special events and providing assistance, coordination, and/or support to elected officials, board members, governmental and agency staff, and general public. Considerable travel, including some overnight, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
During emergency management activities or incidents, employee may be subject to work outside of regularly scheduled work hours, or required to be on call, including nights, weekends or holidays in support of District operations.
Required Credentials for Government Affairs Regional Manager
Government Affairs Regional Manager 3
• Bachelors degree, or higher, in business administration, communications, public relations, or related field and Four (4) years related work experience in public relations, communications, or business related work experience OR Associates degree from an accredited college or university and Six (6) years related work experience in public relations, communications, or business related work experience OR High School diploma or equivalent and Eight (8) years related work experience in public relations, communications.
• Valid driver's license
Government Affairs Regional Manager 4
• Masters degree, or higher, in business administration, communications, public relations, or related field and Six (6) years related work experience in public relations, communications, or business related work experience OR Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university and Eight (8) years related work experience in public relations, communications, or business related work experience OR Associates or equivalent and Ten (10) years related work experience in public relations, communications.
• Valid driver's license
Preferred Credentials for Government Affairs Regional Manager
• Experience working with local governments within coverage area (Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties)
Application Process
The District will determine eligibility for employment solely from the information provided on a District employment application. All applicants are required to complete, in full, the District employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered as a substitute for the required District application for the purpose of qualification. Applicants who are within 30 days of graduation, if selected are not allowed to start until all minimum qualifications are met.
Additional Details
This position is typically scheduled to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, out of the Sarasota, FL office, and is responsible for coordination activities in Manatee, Sarasota, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. This position requires flexibility to work frequent evening hours and occasional weekends. This position is eligible for compensatory time for hours worked over 40 hours, in a week.
Travel Required
Yes. Frequent travel, using a District vehicle, within District's coverage area
Accepting applications until November 9, 2026 at 4:00 PM
About Us
The District is responsible for managing the water resources for west central Florida which includes approximately 10,000 square miles of territory spanning 16 counties and serving more than 6 million residents. Established in 1961 as a flood-protection agency, our objective is to meet the needs of current and future water users, protect and preserve our water resources, manage the water supply, protect water quality, and preserve water-related functions.
Apply Now
Start and grow your career with the District! The District prides itself on providing a positive work environment that engages and supports our employees through flexible and remote work schedules. We provide and support learning and development for staff at all levels including conferences, association memberships, and formal education. Let us know if you have previous public sector experience that may allow for additional perks! Click on the link to apply.
All applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment in employment without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, marital status, familial status, or medical condition. All recruitment, hiring, placements, transfers and promotions will be on the basis of individual skills, knowledge and abilities, and the feasibility of any necessary job accommodation(s).
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the District to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Human Resources Office Chief, at 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only); or email ADACoordinator@WaterMatters.org . If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (Voice). In the event of a complaint, please follow the grievance procedure located at WaterMatters.org/ADA .
The District participates in E-Verify employment eligibility verification. We will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
The District does not sponsor applicants for work visas.
